Comprehensive Regional Transit Plan MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary ............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Overview of MWRTA Services .................................................................................... 2 1.3 Planning Process ....................................................................................................... 2 1.3.1 Review of Transit Services and Market Conditions ......................................... 2 1.3.2 Scenario Planning ........................................................................................... 3 1.3.3 Public Outreach .............................................................................................. . 3 1.4 Core Needs and Recommendations .......................................................................... 3 2. Background and 2020 Context ............................................................................................ 6 2.1 Background ................................................................................................................ 6 2.1.1 Governor’s Commission on the Future of Transportation ................................ 7 2.1.2 A Vision for the Future of Massachusetts’ Regional Transit Authorities ........... 8 2.1.3 Transportation & Climate Initiative ................................................................... 9 2.1.4 MBTA Fare Transformation .............................................................................. 9 2.2 2020 Context ............................................................................................................ 10 2.2.1 COVID-19 Pandemic ..................................................................................... 10 2.2.2 Federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ........................ 11 2.3 Plan Considerations ................................................................................................. 11 2.3.1 Transit Demand and Economic Uncertainties ............................................... 12 3. Agency Overview ............................................................................................................... 14 3.1 Transit Agency Background ...................................................................................... 14 3.2 Mission ..................................................................................................................... 16 3.3 Goals and Objectives ............................................................................................... 16 4. Transit Service Overview (FY 2015-FY 2019) ................................................................... 17 4.1 Description of Services ............................................................................................. 17 4.2 Ridership and Service Operations ............................................................................ 22 4.3 Safety and Security .................................................................................................. 27 4.4 Asset Management .................................................................................................. 28 4.5 Policies and Procedures ........................................................................................... 31 4.6 Regional Connections and Other Transit Providers ................................................. 32 4.7 Fare Rates and Structure ......................................................................................... 32 4.8 Fare Policy ............................................................................................................... 32 5. Market Evaluation .............................................................................................................. 34 5.1 Service Area Overview ............................................................................................. 34 5.2 Demographic Conditions .......................................................................................... 34 5.2.1 Age and Race ................................................................................................ 36 5.2.2 Socioeconomics ............................................................................................ 36 5.3 Employment ............................................................................................................. 43 5.4 Local and Regional Travel Patterns.......................................................................... 43 5.5 Land Use and Growth .............................................................................................. 43 5.6 Transit Score ............................................................................................................ 47 6. Performance Monitoring .................................................................................................... 49 6.1 Current Performance Measurement Practices ......................................................... 49 6.1.1 State and Federal Monitoring Requirements ................................................. 49 AECOM ii Comprehensive Regional Transit Plan MetroWest Regional Transit Authority 6.1.2 Performance Metrics and Targets from MassDOT Memorandum of Understanding ............................................................................................... 50 6.1.3 How the Transit Market Has Been Affected by COVID-19 ............................. 51 6.2 Considerations for the Next 5 Years: Moving to a Data-Driven Performance- Focused Decision-Making Framework ..................................................................... 54 6.2.1 Data ............................................................................................................... 54 6.2.2 Performance Metrics ..................................................................................... 54 6.2.3 Expand Public Transparency ......................................................................... 57 7. Transportation Needs ........................................................................................................ 58 7.1 Needs/Opportunities Identification Process .............................................................. 58 7.2 Recovery Scenarios ................................................................................................. 58 7.2.1 High-Ridership Scenario ................................................................................ 59 7.2.2 Medium-Ridership Scenario .......................................................................... 59 7.2.3 Low-Ridership Scenario ................................................................................ 60 7.3 List of 2021–2025 Needs/Growth Opportunities....................................................... 60 8. Recommendations ............................................................................................................. 62 8.1 Guiding Principles .................................................................................................... 62 8.2 Scoring ..................................................................................................................... 62 8.3 Recommendations Overview.................................................................................... 63 8.3.1 Service Recommendations ............................................................................ 67 8.3.2 Capital Recommendations ............................................................................ 68 8.3.3 Administrative Recommendations ................................................................. 71 Appendix A Illustrative FY 2015-FY 2019 Performance Results and Peer Review ..................... 74 FY 2015 to FY 2019 Performance Evaluation ................................................................... 74 Service Effectiveness ............................................................................................... 74 Customer Service and Satisfaction .......................................................................... 76 Asset Management .................................................................................................. 76 Financial Performance ............................................................................................. 80 Peer Evaluation ................................................................................................................. 82 Appendix B Commonwealth Environmental Policies .................................................................. 85 Appendix C Community and Stakeholder Outreach Results ...................................................... 87 MWRTA Public Outreach Survey ....................................................................................... 87 Survey Development and Publication ...................................................................... 87 Online Survey .......................................................................................................... 87 Responses ............................................................................................................... 87 Bus Operator Survey ......................................................................................................... 97 Stakeholder Survey ........................................................................................................... 99 AECOM iii Comprehensive Regional Transit Plan MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Figures Figure 1. Changes in National Transit Ridership (April 15, 2020–October 12, 2020) ................. 10 Figure 2. Change in Annual Ridership by Year for Bus, Rail, and All Modes (1985–2020) ......... 12 Figure 3. Organizational Chart .................................................................................................... 14 Figure 4. Location Map ............................................................................................................... 15 Figure 5. Annual System Ridership Trends (FY 2015–FY 2019) ................................................ 22 Figure 6. Fixed Route Monthly Ridership Trends (2017–2019) .................................................. 23 Figure 7. Demand Response Monthly Ridership Trends (2017–2019) ....................................... 24 Figure 8. Regular Fixed Route Ridership (FY 2019) ................................................................... 24 Figure 9. FY 2019 Annual Revenue Hours, Regular Fixed Routes ............................................. 25 Figure 10. Bus Service Allocation (FY 2017) .............................................................................. 27 Figure 11. Capital Revenue Sources (FY 2015–FY 2018) .......................................................... 30 Figure 12. Capital Expenditures (FY 2015–FY 2019) ................................................................. 30 Figure 13. Population Density ..................................................................................................... 35 Figure 14. Senior Population ...................................................................................................... 37 Figure 15. Youth Population ........................................................................................................ 38 Figure 16. Minority Population .................................................................................................... 39 Figure 17. Population Below Poverty Level ................................................................................ 40 Figure 18. Median Household Income ........................................................................................ 41 Figure 19. Zero-Vehicle Households ........................................................................................... 42 Figure 20. Job Density ................................................................................................................ 44 Figure 21. Major Trip Generators ................................................................................................ 45 Figure 22. Locally Identified Priority Areas .................................................................................. 46 Figure 23. Transit Score .............................................................................................................. 48 Figure 24. FY 2020 COVID-19-related Ridership Loss ............................................................... 52 Figure 25. FY 2020 Service Effectiveness Metrics Relative to Targets ....................................... 53 Figure 26. FY 2020 Financial Efficiency Metrics Relative to Targets .......................................... 53 Figure 27. Recommendation Complexity Thresholds ................................................................. 63 Figure 28. Recommendation Impact Thresholds ........................................................................ 63 Figure 29. Passengers per Revenue Hour (FY 2019)................................................................. 75 Figure 30. Scheduled Trips Operated by Mode (FY 2019) ......................................................... 75 Figure 31. Travel Training (CY 2019) .......................................................................................... 76 Figure 32. Active Fleet by Mode (2015-2019) ............................................................................. 77 Figure 33. Vehicle Spare Ratio (2015-2019) ............................................................................... 77 Figure 34. Average Miles Between Road Calls (FY 2015–FY 2019) .......................................... 78 Figure 35. Preventable Accidents (FY 2015–FY 2019) ............................................................... 79 Figure 36. NTD Reported Safety Events per 100,000 Vehicle Revenue Miles (FY 2015–FY 2019) ........................................................................................................................................... 80 Figure 37. NTD Reported Injuries by Mode (FY 2015–FY 2019) ................................................ 80 Figure 38. Entrepreneurship Revenue (FY 2015–FY 2019) ....................................................... 82 AECOM iv Comprehensive Regional Transit Plan MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Tables Table 1. Core Needs and Recommendations ............................................................................... 3 Table 2. Service Overview .......................................................................................................... 17 Table 3. Fixed Route Span of Service ......................................................................................... 19 Table 4. Frequency of Fixed Route Service ................................................................................ 20 Table 5. Operating Funding Sources (FY 2017–FY 2019) .......................................................... 21 Table 6. Annual Revenue Hours (FY 2015–FY 2019) ................................................................. 25 Table 7. Annual Revenue Miles (FY 2015–FY 2019) .................................................................. 26 Table 8. Annual Operating Cost (FY 2015–FY 2019) .................................................................. 26 Table 9. Summary of Operating Statistics by Mode (FY 2019) ................................................... 27 Table 10. Fleet Inventory Summary ............................................................................................ 29 Table 11. Fare Structure .............................................................................................................. 32 Table 12. Fare Recovery Targets ................................................................................................ 33 Table 13. Demographic and Socioeconomic Profile (2018) ........................................................ 36 Table 14. FY 2021 Performance Measure Targets in the MOU .................................................. 50 Table 15. Recommended New Service Thresholds .................................................................... 55 Table 16. Recommended Service Correction Thresholds ........................................................... 56 Table 17. Needs by Recovery Scenario ...................................................................................... 60 Table 18. Recommendation ........................................................................................................ 64 Table 19. Fixed Route Productivity (FY 2017–FY 2019) ............................................................. 74 Table 20. Fixed Route Financial Efficiency (FY 2017–FY 2019) ................................................. 81 Table 21. Demand Response Financial Efficiency (FY 2017–FY 2019) ..................................... 81 Table 22. Peer Systems Census Data (2018) ............................................................................. 82 Table 23. Peer Systems Operating Data (2018) ......................................................................... 83 Table 24. Peer System Performance (2018) ............................................................................... 84 AECOM v Comprehensive Regional Transit Plan MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Acronyms ACS American Community Survey ADA Americans with Disabilities Act APC Automated Passenger Counter APTA American Public Transportation Association AVL Automatic Vehicle Location CARES Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security CCRTA Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority CDC Centers for Disease Control CFR Code of Federal Regulations COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus Disease of 2019 CRTP Comprehensive Regional Transit Plan CSA Comprehensive Service Assessment ESRP Employee Safety Reporting Program FSU Framingham State University FTA Federal Transit Administration FTE Full-Time Equivalent FY Fiscal Year GATRA Greater Attleboro-Taunton Regional Transit Authority GHG Greenhouse Gas GWSA Global Warming Solutions Act LEHD Longitudinal Employer-Households Dataset LRTA Lowell Regional Transit Authority MART Montachusett Regional Transit Authority MassDOT Massachusetts Department of Transportation MBCC MassBay Community College MBTA Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority MOU Memorandum of Understanding MPO Metropolitan Planning Organization MWRTA MetroWest Regional Transit Authority NTD National Transit Database RTA Regional Transit Authority AECOM vi Comprehensive Regional Transit Plan MetroWest Regional Transit Authority TAM Transit Asset Management TCI Transportation & Climate Initiative TERM Transit Economic Requirements Model ULB Useful Life Benchmark UPT Unlinked Passenger Trip USDOT United States Department of Transportation VRH Vehicle Revenue Hour WRTA Worcester Regional Transit Authority AECOM vii Comprehensive Regional Transit Plan MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Glossary Access: The opportunity to reach a given destination within a certain timeframe or without significant physical, social, or economic barriers. Accessible Vehicle: A public transportation vehicle that does not restrict access, is usable, and provides allocated space and/or priority seating for individuals who use mobility devices. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): The Americans with Disabilities Act, passed in July 1991, gave direction to local transit agencies to ensure full access to transportation for persons with disabilities. Boardings: The total number of passengers getting on a transit vehicle during a specified period of time. See also Ridership and Passenger Trip. Capital Cost: The cost of equipment and facilities required to support transportation systems, including vehicles, radios, shelters, software, etc. Central Transfer Point: A central meeting place where routes or zonal demand response buses intersect so that passengers may transfer. Routes are often timed to facilitate transferring and depart once passengers have had time to transfer. When all routes arrive and depart at the same time, the system is called a pulse system. The central transfer point simplifies transfers when there are many routes (particularly radial routes), several different modes, and/or paratransit zones. A downtown retail area is often an appropriate site for a central transfer point, as it is likely to be a popular destination, a place of traffic congestion and limited parking, and a place where riders are likely to feel safe waiting for the next bus. Strategic placement of the transfer point can attract riders to the system and may provide an opportunity for joint marketing promotions with local merchants. Circulator: A bus that makes frequent trips around a small geographic area with numerous stops around the route. It is typically operated in a downtown area or area attracting tourists, where parking is limited, roads are congested, and trip generators are spread around the area. It may be operated all-day or only at times of peak demand, such as rush hour or lunchtime. Commuter Bus Service: Transportation designed for daily, round-trip service, which accommodates a typical 8-hour, daytime work shift (e.g., an outbound trip arriving at an employment center by 8 AM, with the return trip departing after 5 PM). Coordination: Coordination means pooling the transportation resources and activities of several agencies. The owners of transportation assets talk to each other to find ways to mutually benefit their agencies and their customers. Coordination models can range in scope from sharing information, to sharing equipment and facilities, to integrated scheduling and dispatching of services, to the provision of services by only one transportation provider (with other former providers now purchasing services). Coordination may involve human service agencies working with each other or with public transit operations. Cost per Boarding: The total operating expenditures of a route or service divided by the number of total boardings. Cost per Revenue Mile or Hour: The total operating expenditures of a route or service divided by the number of revenue miles or revenue hours. Demand Response Service: Service to individuals that is activated based on passenger requests. Usually passengers call the scheduler or dispatcher and request rides for dates and times. A trip is scheduled for that passenger, which may be canceled by the passenger. Usually involves curb-to-curb or door-to-door service. Trips may be scheduled on an advanced reservation basis or in “real-time.” Usually smaller vehicles are used to provide demand AECOM viii Comprehensive Regional Transit Plan MetroWest Regional Transit Authority response service. This type of service usually provides the highest level of service to the passenger but is the most expensive for the transit system to operate in terms of cost per trip. In rural areas with relatively high populations of elderly persons and persons with disabilities, demand response service is sometimes the most appropriate type of service. Sub-options within this service type are discussed in order of least structured to most structured, in terms of routing and scheduling. • Pure Demand Response Service: Drivers pick up and drop off passengers at any point in the service area, based on instructions from the dispatcher. In pure demand response systems, the dispatcher combines immediate requests, reservations, and subscription service for the most efficient use of each driver’s time. • Zonal Demand Response Service: The service area is divided into zones. Buses pick up and drop off passengers only within the assigned zone. When the drop off is in another zone, the dispatcher chooses a meeting point at the zone boundary for passenger transfer or a central transfer is used. This system ensures that a vehicle will always be within each zone when rides are requested. • Flexibly Routed and Scheduled Services: Flexibly routed and scheduled services have some characteristics of both fixed route and demand response services. In areas where demand for travel follows certain patterns routinely, but the demand for these patterns is not high enough to warrant a fixed route, service options such as checkpoint service, point deviation, route deviation, service routes, or subscription service might be the answer. These are all examples of flexible routing and schedules, and each may help the transit system make its demand response services more efficient while still maintaining much of the flexibility of demand responsiveness. • Microtransit: A form of demand response service, open to the general public, that requires some type of "reservation," typically made via an app-based system. Typically, microtransit uses software algorithms to completely automate the scheduling of the trip, the fare collection (if any), and the route the driver will utilize (communicating with the driver via some type of mobile data terminals). Deviated Fixed Route Service: Transit buses travel along a predetermined alignment or path with scheduled time points at each terminal point and in some instances at key intermediate locations. Route deviation service is different than conventional fixed route bus service in that the vehicle may leave the route upon requests of passengers to be picked up or returned to destinations near the route. Following an off-route deviation, the vehicle typically returns to the point at which it left the route. Passengers may call in advance for route deviation or may access the system at predetermined route stops. The limited geographic area within which the vehicle may travel off the route is known as the route deviation corridor. Dial-A-Ride Service: A name that is commonly used for demand response service. It is helpful in marketing the service to the community, as the meaning of “dial-a-ride” may be more self- explanatory than “demand response” to someone unfamiliar with transportation terms. Environmental Justice: Executive Order 12898, issued in 1994, requires agencies receiving federal funds to determine whether their programs, policies, and activities will have disproportionately high and adverse human health or environmental effects on minority or low- income populations. Express Bus Service: Express bus service characteristics include direct service from a limited number of origins to a limited number of destinations with no intermediate stops. Typically, express bus service is fixed route/fixed schedule and is used for longer distance commuter trips. The term may also refer to a bus that makes a limited number of stops, while a local bus makes many stops along the same route but as a result takes much longer. AECOM ix Comprehensive Regional Transit Plan MetroWest Regional Transit Authority Farebox Recovery Ratio: The percentage of operating costs covered by revenue from fares and contract revenue (total fare revenue and total contract revenue divided by the total operating cost). Fares: Revenue from cash, tickets, and pass receipts given by passengers as payment for public transit rides. Federal Transit Administration (FTA): An operating administration within the United States Department of Transportation that administers federal programs and provides financial assistance to public transit. Feeder Service: Local transportation service that provides passengers with connections to a longer-distance transportation service. Like connector service, feeder service is service in which a transfer to or from another transit system, such as an intercity bus route, is the focal point or primary destination. Fixed Route: Transportation service operated over a set route or network of routes on a regular time schedule. Headway: The length of time between vehicles moving in the same direction on a route. Headways are called short if the time between vehicles is short and long if the time between them is long. When headways are short, the service is said to be operating at a high frequency; if headways are long, service is operating at a low frequency. Intercity Bus Service: Regularly scheduled bus service for the public that operates with limited stops over fixed routes connecting two or more urban areas not near, that has the capacity for transporting baggage carried by passengers, and that makes meaningful connections with scheduled intercity bus service to more distant points, if such service is available. Intercity bus service may include local and regional feeder services, if those services are designed expressly to connect to the broader intercity bus network. Interlined Routes: When fixed routes are routed through a transfer center or some other terminal location and become another route, with passengers typically allowed to ride through from one route to another without an additional fare and/or transfer fee. The “interline” is typically identified on public materials. Operating Expenditures: The recurring costs of providing transit service (wages, salaries, fuel, oil, taxes, maintenance, insurance, marketing, etc.). Operating Revenue: The total revenue earned by a transit agency through its transit operations. It includes passenger fares, advertising, and other revenues. Paratransit Service: "Paratransit" means the transportation of passengers by motor vehicle or other means of conveyance by persons operating on a regular and continuing basis and the transportation or delivery of packages in conjunction with an operation having the transportation of passengers as its primary and predominant purpose and activity but excluding regular route transit. "Paratransit" includes transportation by carpool and commuter van, point deviation and route deviation services, shared-ride taxi service, dial-a-ride service, and other similar services. Boardings per Mile or Hour: Productivity measure that takes the total boardings and divides by the miles and/or hours operated. The hours and/or miles may be presented as either total vehicle miles or hours or as revenue miles or hours. Passenger Trip (Unlinked): Typically, one passenger trip is recorded any time a passenger boards a transportation vehicle or other conveyance used to provide transportation. “Unlinked” means that one trip is recorded each time a passenger boards a vehicle, no matter how many vehicles that passenger uses to travel from their origin to their destination. AECOM x